BLACK RAIN

The Belgian band Fish On Friday originally took its name from the Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat and eating fish on fridays. However, the vitamins this band serves up are quite different. For years, they have been offering a delicious meal of progressive pop with a dreaminess reminiscent of Blackfield, a tasty dish that could easily warm the soul daily.

The album under discussion, "Black Rain," is the band's fifth release. While the group's history has not been overly spectacular, it still deserves some attention. Founded in 2009 by singer/keyboardist Frank van Bogaert and fellow keyboardist William Beckers, Fish On Friday started as a project. With the help of several guest musicians and brilliant cover art by Michal Karcz, they managed to make a strong impression with two self-released albums. By their third album, "Godspeed," released in 2014, Fish On Friday had evolved from a project into a full-fledged band. The fantastic bassist Nick Beggs, California-based guitarist Marty Townsend, and drummer Marcus Weymaere were promoted to official members. In this lineup, they also produced their fourth album, "Quiet Life," in 2017, which included a small role for Alan Parsons as the producer of one track. After this album, Beckers left the band, and their most progressive work to date, "Black Rain," was released under the name FOF.

The album has a slight conceptual theme, with lyrics addressing the rapidly changing world we live in, touching on topics like the environment, the many war refugees, and global political madness. Although the album certainly has its darker sides, there is also room for positivity and happiness. In this regard, it's not just certain lyrics but also the contributions of guest musicians that provide a necessary sparkle. Consider the playful performance of Theo Travis on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, or the background vocals of Nina Babet and Chantal Kashala. However, the most impressive contribution comes from singer Lula Beggs, whose wonderfully clear voice adds a golden layer to five tracks. Incidentally, she sings just as brilliantly as her father plays bass.

All of this is reflected in the eleven tracks that make up the album. There are no weak links here, and the claim that each track is either good or very good is easily made. The argument that the song material lacks stylistic variation is quickly dismissed, as each track stands out with beautiful, catchy melodies and vocal lines, each with its own unique DNA.

The first three tracks all fall into the "very good" category and leave you eagerly anticipating what's to come. The opener, Life In Towns, has a perfect atmosphere that, although highly reminiscent of Blackfield, doesn't harm the song in any way. On the contrary, the beautiful melodies thrive in this setting. The following track, Murderous Highland Highway, seamlessly continues this atmosphere, especially in the long instrumental section. After this electrifying piece, the title track Black Rain follows. Here, we often hear a band sound that can be associated with the new wave and pop of the 1980s. It's sublime, particularly the choruses that are deeply moving, with Lula Beggs' vocals in the background harmonies standing out. With this track, and certainly with the previous two, the band builds a tremendous amount of credit that benefits the entire album, not that the music needs it.

As mentioned, there are only good tracks. Songs like Mad At The World, Angel Of Mercy, and Morphine provide constant enjoyment, while the more uptempo songs We've Come Undone and We Choose To Be Happy also deliver. The biggest gem, however, is Letting Go Of You, where Lula Beggs shines brilliantly against a pearlescent background, while the closing tracks Trapped In Heaven and Diamonds dazzle with their guitar solos.

"Black Rain" is a beautiful, if not stunning, album, breathtakingly brilliant.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com